CQHHS chief executive Len Richards said a call to test the market's interest had proved there were private providers able to deliver expanded medical imaging services in Gladstone.

The next step was to enter an Invitation to Offer process to nut out the specifics.

Mr Richards said a private provider didn't mean there would be a cost to public patients.

"The service will be paid for by CQHHS, and there will not be any expense to our public patients," he said.

"This means Gladstone public hospital patients would have access to a greater range of medical imaging services in our hospital and there would be less need for them to travel to Rockhampton or private facilities."

Mr Richards said the decision was also about the future of 40 dedicated staff, including five in Gladstone.